Washington, D.C. – December 30, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — If you have already received a Regular HEAP benefit for the 2015-2016 HEAP season, you may be eligible for another benefit under the Emergency component of HEAP. Regular component benefits must be exhausted first to be eligible for the heating emergencies component for eligible households.
Emergency benefits are available to assist eligible households in resolving heating, heat-related electric and energy-related temporary housing emergencies. An applicant must be in an emergency situation defined as one of the following:
1) Less than ¼ tank of oil, kerosene, or propane
2) Less than a 10-day supply of any other deliverable fuel source
3) The natural gas or electric service for heat or heat-related electric service is terminated or scheduled for termination
4) There is a need of a propane tank deposit to obtain a new propane tank and set up due to a supplier’s termination of an account
5) There is a need of temporary relocation due to an energy related emergency.
Monthly income eligibility is up to $2,244 for a household of 1 and is increased by $690 for each additional member of the household. To be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit, the applicant must be the customer of record, meet the monthly income eligibility, not have available liquid resources greater than $2000 (or $3000 if the household contains an individual age 60 or older), and meet all other non- financial requirements.
The heating emergency benefits are $350 for natural gas heat only, $490 for electric heat and natural gas with domestic electric, $500 for wood, pellets, coal or corn, and $575 for oil, kerosene or propane. There is a benefit of $140 available for heat-related electric emergencies. Additionally, there are benefits available for temporary relocation and propane tank deposits.
Applicants approved for a 2015-2016 Regular benefit who meet the customer of record requirements, including TA and SNAP recipients, may apply for Emergency benefits by calling DFS at 845-807-0142. Applicants may not apply online via myBenefits.
